The Effectiveness of Non-Destructive Bat Control Measures in Residential Building

Abstract

Bat management is uncommon among the Malaysian even though the said wildlife pest possesses a quite alarming threat to human especially in the suburban. The bats have losses their natural habitat to development, consequently, it adapts to co-exist among the human by residing in man-made structures. Many studies have been done on bat control measures especially for residential building and plenty of methods have been developed and executed in controlling bat from entering building either destructive or non-destructive method. In most countries, non-destructive is preferable such as bat proofing structures, bat proofing materials, artificial roost, and temporary outside roost but how far the method successfully and efficiently containing the problem remains questionable. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of bat control measures available in the market nowadays. Applying Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as the underlying theory to determine the most reliable and efficient bat control method, the research was accomplished through a survey among the pest management companies. A total of 30 respondents with vast experiences in pest control had completed the questionnaires. Results indicated that TAM successfully fit to be applied for this research. Generally, the best and effective bat control method was determined by perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use of each selected control methods. Both independent variables have a strong positive relationship with the effectiveness of bat control measures. The best control that perceived to be the most effective non-destructive bat control method is bat house; follows by repellent, bat proofing structure, bat- friendly house and lastly the fumigant. Each of these methods could be used in preventing the bat from entering the building but, it is suggested to the pest control companies to consider a non-destructive method which will not harm the bat and provides an alternative dwelling similar to its natural habitat.